Legal Adviser - Special Advisory Services Division

General Information

The Special Advisory Services Division provides advice and technical assistance to member governments in a number of areas, including trade and enterprise development, debt management and the facilitation of investment.

The Economic and Legal Section (ELS) operates as an in-house consultancy service offering policy legal and economic advice as well as assistance on investment and related matters, in particular, in the exploitation of petroleum and mineral resources, the facilitation and regulation of foreign direct investment and in the delimitation of maritime boundaries.

Job Summary

The Legal Adviser working independently or within a multi-disciplinary team and in consultation with the programme leader, provides legal and policy advice to Commonwealth governments and regional organisations. The post involves a range of projects at the national and regional level, with particular emphasis on the delimitation of maritime boundaries and associated law of the sea issues including, the organisation and conduct of maritime boundary negotiations, the preparation of extended continental shelf submissions and assistance in the development of relevant national legislation. The job also involves frequent overseas travel.

Task Description

The post-holder:

1. Provides advice on and assists governments to undertake maritime boundary negotiations by:

• providing guidance and training on negotiations to government officials;
• drafting negotiating briefs and recommending negotiating strategies;
• analysing proposals and developing counter-proposals;
• Participating directly as part of the government team in negotiations; and
• Engaging the services of technical experts in the fields of hydrography, geosciences and cartography to prepare pertinent technical reports and advice, and coordinate all such inputs.

2. Design, develop and manage project implementation by:

• defining project parameters in response to government requests for assistance and obtaining project approvals;
• managing and reporting on project implementation and monitoring project performance;
• leading the work of multi-disciplinary project teams on mission;
• Defining, mobilizing and supervising specialist legal, technical and other inputs to projects made by external consultants, as required.

3. Develops strategic partnerships and initiatives with multi-lateral and bi-lateral agencies in relation to maritime boundaries and maintain contacts with senior government officials and other international development partners;

4. Contributes to international seminars, conferences and expert group meetings relating to the above specialist areas.

5. Carries out any other duties as may be required from time to time.

Person Specification

Education:

Essential: First degree and a post-graduate degree in Law or an equivalent advanced legal qualification, with a specialisation in maritime boundaries law and/or public international law.

Experience:

Essential: At least three years experience in the practice of law concerning maritime boundaries and related law of the sea issues.

Desirable: Experience in legal advisory work relating to the development and exploitation of petroleum or mineral resources and facilitation of private investment.